Comedy show row: Professor, student apologise to each other after viral video

Professor H K Patel, the head of the department, was addressing the audience from the stage when the student made a quip from a movie.

AHMEDABAD: A day after a video of a Nirma University professor holding a student by the collar went viral, both the professor and the student have apologised to each other, sources told TOI on Friday.The university has, however, ordered a probe into the incident. It has formed a three-member high-powered committee comprising deans and directors, which will submit its report within seven days.The incident allegedly took place during ‘Technofora 2026’, a three-day event organised by students of Nirma University’s Institute of Technology from September 18 to 20.After a stand-up comedy act, Professor H K Patel, head of the department, was addressing the audience from the stage when a student made a quip from a movie, "Jaldi kar, Panvel nikalna hai," asking him to finish his speech.Sources said Prof Patel then asked the student to come on stage. A video widely shared on social media shows the professor holding the student by his collar and asking him to behave.The professor is also heard threatening the student in the video, saying, “I can go to any extent. The day you dare to insult any faculty member of the Nirma University campus, you are gone forever.”Prof R N Patel, director general of Nirma University, said the university had constituted a three-member committee to probe the incident.“Both the professor and the student have apologised to each other. However, the due process will take place. Further course of action will be decided based on the committee’s recommendations,” he said.